Diamond & Yellow Gold Rings

Since yellow is gold's original color, yellow gold was the first to be used in in diamond-set rings. The combination of yellow gold and diamonds therefore takes on a classic look.

Pure gold (24K) is too soft to use to make rings, so silver and copper are added to create 14K or 18K gold. 10K gold is also quite common in the U.S., while 9K gold is used in the U.K., both of which serve as less expensive options. Because yellow gold is mixed with silver (sometimes palladium) and copper, it is also the most hypoallergenic of all gold colors.

Yellow gold reflects yellowish light and therefore makes diamonds look more yellow. That’s why stones with a high color rating are often set in white gold or platinum today – a unique optical proportion is better displayed. But when you have a diamond that's slightly tinted yellow, yellow gold may actually serve to enhance the overall look of the stone.

Quick Facts

• Since diamonds are the hardest natural material known to man, over time, they can easily cut through the prongs that hold them if the stone is slightly out of place. Have a jeweler regularly check them to help prevent this
• Sometimes smaller diamonds are set very closely together so that they look like one much larger diamond, but without the larger price tag
• The Medici family used three interlocked yellow gold diamond rings as one of their emblems